Taking your eCommerce business across the pond is an exciting next step. Thousands more customers are out there waiting to discover your products, and with them comes the potential for skyrocketing revenue and massive growth. But hold on. The US eCommerce market is a very different beast to the UK one, so to conquer it, you'll need a brand-new strategy - especially when it comes to fulfilment. That's why it's important to get prepared before diving in. With fulfilment centres on both the East and West Coasts, the I-Fulfilment team have helped hundreds of businesses navigate fulfilment in the US market. Below, we share the 6 key things you need to do for a successful US launch.
Picking the perfect fulfilment partner is key to a smooth US operation. The right choice can save you time, money, and headaches, all the while keeping your new customers happy. And that translates to a serious edge over your competition. Here’s what to do when researching US partners:
Located in Los Angeles, Las Vegas, and Virginia, our fulfilment centres keep us close to your customers; translating to lightning-fast, 2-day delivery across the entire mainland US. Each centre is integrated with BladePRO, our innovative WMS software. It connects seamlessly with all major eCommerce platforms and couriers, giving you real-time insights into orders, inventory, and shipments. You'll have complete control and visibility over your fulfilment process, from start to finish. We also pride ourselves on our ability to scale with you. No matter how much you grow, we'll always be there to support your fulfilment needs.
Shipping works a bit differently in the US than in the UK. Here are some tips to familiarise yourself with it:
Our US network of couriers means we can find the fastest and cheapest way to get your shipment where it needs to go. We can also keep stock in multiple warehouses and dynamically ship from the closest one, reducing delivery times and costs.
Just like our accents, American and British preferences can be worlds apart. To win over a US target market, you'll need to adjust your approach accordingly. But it’s not just the US versus the UK you need to think about. The US is huge (Texas alone is almost three times the size of the UK!), and even neighbouring states can have totally different markets, so you need to take these variations into account too. Here are some tips:
We go the extra mile to make sure your customers get the support they need, fast. Our customer service team are available when your customers are, no matter their time zone, and even offer multilingual support to make communication easy. The result? Happy customers and more repeat business.
Switching your prices from GBP to USD is just the first step. Pricing strategies that worked in the UK might not perform well across the pond, so you may need to develop a whole new approach to succeed. Here are some tips to help you develop a winning pricing strategy for the American market:
We can adapt our fulfilment processes to handle large-scale discount campaigns, so you don’t have to worry about the logistics every time you launch a major promotion. For instance, if you're planning to sell product bundles for Cyber Monday, we can efficiently prepare, pick, and pack your bundles for shipping on your behalf.
Returns happen - it's just part of online sales. When you choose a US 3PL provider, make sure they've got a smooth returns management process nailed down. Here’s what they should be able to handle:
Our eagle-eyed returns team expertly handles everything from inspecting and fixing returned items to repacking, re-labelling, and answering your return questions. With flexible solutions tailored to your brand, we make returns a breeze for your customers.
Expanding into the US market can be daunting, especially for newcomers. Here's how bringing in some local US experts can help you navigate the waters:
With decades of experience helping businesses across the US, we know how to streamline your supply chain and optimise logistics for maximum impact. We'll work with you to boost productivity and slash costs, setting your business up for long-term success.
Dreaming of bringing your UK eCommerce brand stateside? Partnering with a trusted fulfilment provider like I-Fulfilment is your secret weapon. We'll help you navigate US shipping, understand customer preferences, and optimise pricing – so you can focus on what you do best: building your amazing brand! Ready to conquer the American market? Book a free consultation online or call us on 01425 200 222, and let's make it happen!